As a student studying abroad in Bologna Italy this summer, this is my number 1 must see if your visiting this city. The walk to the top is well worth the journey and is a relatively flat incline with some stairs along the way closer to the top, friendly for all ages. Inside the church at the top is breathtaking and has beautiful views that look over the entire city. I’ve walked and biked to the top multiple times since being here and it managed to take my breath away every time!

Without a doubt, one of the more spectacular experiences that you can have in Bologna. The Sanctuary is situated on a hill top that overlooks the city and its surroundings. You can see much more than just the city once you've reached the top. The walk to the Sanctuary takes you through the world's longest portico (~4km), which is a great standalone experience. You can also drive up or take a tourist train (which comes with an audio guide as well) for a few Euros. There's plenty to see inside and around the Sanctuary, and for a small donation, you can actually climb the cupola, putting you on the highest peak around Bologna with a spectacular view in all directions. Once at the top, there will be someone that will explain what you're seeing.

Must visit while in bologna even on a cloudy day, the views are beautiful and the walk/hike is well worth the effort. The fall colors is also a nice addition. Will have to come back to see the beautiful city view on top on a sunny day☺️. Gréât in rainy weather since there is cover in the portico

One of the must see places in Bologna, It is located on the top of the mountain with possibility of going by the bus from Bologna center. The church is phenomenal and it is always open and definitely worth a visit athough reaching to top is really hard specially if you walk. Strongly recommended to visit specially in the sunset moment for taking nice pictures in the fantastic landscape.

You can pay to go outside the dome for a view, which is decent Baroque, 1723. The church holds an icon of the Virgin painted by St Luke the Evangelist.

It's not worth it. We would not recommend it if we would have known the view or the church before climbing endless stairs. So if you really want to go there there is a bus running twice an hour near the starting point. But even if you are not walking up. I wouldn't do it again. There are nicer places in town

Landmark of Bologna.The enthusiasm and determination of local people is impressive, they built 5 km long gallery to this holy place. I recommend the sky experience, the view is amazing.

Interesting and beautiful Sanctuary of Our Lady of San Luca!! The way to the Sanctuary can be done walking through the Porticoes of Bologna up to the hill of the Holy Sanctuary. That journey is covered by a tourist train, which offers audio guides in different languages. So the journey is very comfortable and provides interesting historical explanations about this path, and attractive sites along the way. On the top will be possible to enjoy the art of this holy location and the great views from Bologna and the countryside around the Sanctuary.

Dress in comfortable shoes and trousers! We wore trousers to be respectful of the church but we saw a few visitors in shorts. When you arrive at the church, you’re gonna mistake it for being closed. There’s a small poster with opening hours. When you push the door, you’re gonna think it’s locked. The actual doors to enter are on the left and right side. Go in through the side doors! Please don’t miss this church, or the walk up would have been for naught! Your heart calms down once you step in! It indeed is a sanctuary! Follow the path on the right and you can walk right in to the altar and have a close up look at the baroque adornment in this sanctuary! 🤯😍

A brilliant place to see and admire. The long uphill walk through the portico is definitely worth the effort!

Nice walking place! It’s better to wear some sports pants..!! The church on the top is also quite pretty!! I would recommend you to go up to the observatory in the church with little bit of pay.

It’s a great turistic spot to go to. After a nice 1h walk under the arches you get to a nice monastery with a beautiful church inside. It is worth it to walk there to see the paintings on some of the arches

It’s a straight up walk so I would advise either the tourist train which cost 6.50 or a Uber. Free to get in.

It's a beautiful church with amazing architecture. The way to reach this church is uphill, but there is a mini bus to take visitors here. Hiking down after a visit here is recommended. It gives many magnificent nature views.

Beautiful church with an excellent view of the countryside near Bologna. Driving up to the church is possibly outside of the 14:00-18:00 time window. There's a free parking lot a bit down the road but it seemed we were the only one who parked there. Everyone else parked closer to the church.

Incredible walk through the porticos, lots of opportunities to take pictures along the way. The sanctuary itself is beautiful and offers great views of the city. Comfortable shoes recommended!

This was the most impressive church I ever visited. The walk up the hill was amazing. I loved every bit of it. The view was stunning. The church itself was glorious! Inside and outside! You have to go when you visit Bologna.

Long walk but outstanding view and a real achievement. I’m glad we did the climb.

A 45 minute hike/walk under the protective shade of the porticos and you’ll be rewarded with this beautiful viewpoint / church. Serviced by a tourist train/bus also. I’d recommend the hike and the bus back down though

We arrived here before sunset and the church was magnificent during the golden hour. Unfortunately, the dome was already closed at this time and a service was going on inside. We enjoyed the appearance and surroundings anyway. You can watch sunset over the Bologna from this hill. We walked here from the Porta Zaragozza through the Arco del Meloncello and the Portico of San Luca, all along the porticoes.

Interesting structure. Hike to the top to get a good workout as well as impressive views of Bologna.

Speechless!! 🙏🏼 It's one of the most impressive places I've been in Italy 🇮🇹! You must visit it. I'll recommend San Luca Express mini train from Bologna city center. It's a unique experience.

Great edifice on top of one of the hills around Bologna. Very good to walk to and around it as there are forest paths. The cathedral looks stunning. 5 euros to go up the dome, some association is organising this, a bit much as it could be free?..

Plenty our highlights: Nice forested area around the sanctuary. Scenic views of the countryside and the city - a nice covered walkway all the way up from Bologna.

The walk along the world's longest portico up to the top is about 2km long and takes around 25 minutes and is 200m up. Nice views of the city from above, also a very ornate building.

Nice view over Bologna. Very suggestive. You can even walk up (aprox 5 km one-way) to the sanctuary on a spectacular walkway or take a little red tractor-train.

The route for those who like walking. At the end the reward - beautiful interior of the Sanctuary and views of the surrounding area. The route is under arcades that could be considered as one of symbol of Bologna. It was worth going up and down on foot :)